I think it's safe to say that moving house is widely accepted and acknowledged by most, to be a daunting and extremely stressful experience, with few, relishing the monotonous assault of the endless to-do-list which lies ahead.
By setting some time aside for yourself, and getting everything written down on paper, you'll soon see there's a lot more to do than what you first anticipated. But with some careful planning and preparation you can make moving day seem like a breeze!
It's quite easy to give yourself a false sense of security, thinking you've got a lot more time than you actually have. But the last thing you want to be doing is frantically rushing about, trying to do everything at the last minute. The old adage rings true here: By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. Not that you're going to fail at anything here, but you get the gist! By having a firm grip from an operational standpoint, you can save yourself some serious coin (and we all respond well to that!) and some much needed breathing space. From packing boxes, sorting bills and utilities, to booking a removals company, you've still got a fair bit to do... so, batten down the hatches it's time to get stuck in!
CREATE A MOVING CHECKLIST -
After sorting out energy providers, broadband and all the usual bumph, you can now get stuck into the meatier aspects of the moving process.
Let's get started:
REMOVAL BOXES
If you're carrying out a self-pack, giving yourself plenty of time and investing in some quality packing materials is a good place to start. It might be tempting to nip down to the local corner shop or supermarket to grab some boxes, but chances are you're going to end up with some shoddy, inferior containers that are well and truly passed their prime. Having quality moving boxes also makes your removal company's life easier too. They won't have to struggle trying to stack open bags or deal with weakened boxes which are likely to tear and spill their contents over the removals van whilst in transit.
You can find a range of moving kits here for every type of relocation. Remember to label all boxes and tape shut. Be careful not to overload them, think of your poor movers backs. We will provide tips on how to pack the perfect box in future blog posts.
DISMANTLE FURNITURE
Wardrobes, beds, tables, and other large pieces of furniture may need to be dismantled prior to moving day (even more so if you live in a house). Not only will this assist your removals company of choice, greatly, it will also save you a few extra quid! Place screws, nuts and bolts into freezer or sandwich bags and attach it to the relevant furniture with strong tape. Or better still, keep them in your possession (just remember to mark them!).
WHITE GOODS
Getting your kitchen appliances ready for transit is probably one of the last tasks you're going to complete. Making sure your fridge-freezer and washing machine are void of any water is paramount to a smoother move (trying to contend with a paddling pool on the back of the removals van is no fun!) So, winding down the food in your fridge-freezer a week or two before moving day is the ideal thing to do (ordering a few cheeky takeaways is allowed under these particular circumstances). Disconnect the washing machine and drain any excess water as best you can. Secure pipes and plugs to the machines with electrical tape.
The other household appliance that's going to require disconnection, is your oven. Whether it's gas or electric, you can find some useful online tutorials to help you along the way. If you're still not sure, seek some professional advice.
By tackling these tasks in bite-sized chunks, you'll be shocked at how much easier moving day will flow, and how much extra cash you'll save in the process.
BOOK A REMOVALS COMPANY -
Move My Stuff are a professional Man and Van removals company based in Lowestoft, Suffolk. Our team can help with all your removals, packing, dismantling and storage requirements. We offer cost-effective hourly and day rates for moves carried out within Suffolk and Norfolk, and fixed prices for moves going further afield. If you need some friendly advice please contact - Mark direct on 07811140064 or email